Tire Buttress Recess Layout for Vibration Damping and Crack Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tires in existing designs experience cracks along the circumferential direction on the outer surface of the buttress portion due to repeated bending from road surface vibrations, which is not effectively addressed by current damping mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A tire design featuring a plurality of buffer recessed portions on the outer surface of the buttress portion, arranged in a hexagonal shape with specific dimensions and orientations, which deform radially to attenuate vibrations and prevent cracks by distributing stress evenly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If buffer recessed portions are arranged on the outer surface of the buttress portion to damp vibration, then vibration attenuation is improved, but cracks may occur on the outer surface due to repeated bending

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration attenuationVSAvoidcrack resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer recessed portion is divided into multiple grooves (first groove, second groove, third groove) that segment the stress distribution. These grooves are arranged in a specific pattern around the circumferential direction, creating multiple stress relief zones that prevent crack propagation while maintaining vibration damping effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grooves are positioned asymmetrically with different angular spacings (first angular spacing between first and second groove, second angular spacing between second and third groove). This asymmetric arrangement optimizes stress distribution and prevents concentrated bending at single locations, thereby preventing cracks while maintaining vibration attenuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Strength

If the buttress portion is made more rigid to prevent cracks, then crack resistance is improved, but vibration attenuation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrack resistanceVSAvoidvibration attenuation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer recessed portion introduces localized flexibility only where needed (in the form of grooves within the buttress portion) while maintaining the overall structural integrity and rigidity of the tire. This localized modification allows vibration attenuation without compromising the global strength and crack resistance of the buttress portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The grooves create dynamic stress distribution patterns that adapt to vibration inputs. The asymmetric groove arrangement allows the structure to flex and deform in controlled ways during vibration, dissipating energy while preventing permanent damage or crack formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The tire effectively attenuates road surface vibrations and prevents cracks along the tire's circumferential direction on the buttress portion, enhancing durability and stability during travel.

Implementation Method 1

when vibration is input from a road surface through the tread surface portion during traveling, the input vibration can be damped by deforming the buffer recessed portion in the tire radial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of buffer recessed portions compression-deformable in a tire radial direction are arranged in a tire circumferential direction on an outer surface of a buttress portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression-deformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP3984773B1tire
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 BRIDGESTONE CORP
  • EP3984773B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3984773B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A tire includes a plurality of buffer recessed portions (40) compression-deformable in a tire radial direction that are arranged in a tire circumferential direction over an entire area in the tire circumferential direction on an outer surface of a buttress portion (12) connected to an end portion of a tread surface portion (11) of the tire in a tire width direction, in which in a plan view of the buttress portion, an opening peripheral edge of the buffer recessed portion has a hexagonal shape including six side portions (41, 42), and the buffer recessed portions adjacent to each other in the tire circumferential direction are arranged such that one of the six side portions of one of the buffer recessed portions faces one of the six side portions of the other of the buffer recessed portions in the tire circumferential direction.